Doula That!

About Doula That!

We are experienced birth workers with diverse careers, bringing decades of expertise to the world of birth, babies, and families. Join us on this journey as we delve deep into the realms of birth, postpartum care, and the business aspects of this incredible field. Our aim is to shed light on the unfiltered realities of birth work and guide you through building a successful birthing career.

Publisher

Ravae Sinclair & Denise Bolds

Category

business · education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

31 Oct 2023

Latest episode

22 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

22 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Apr 2026

   Part 3 of 3: 2 Hours, 2 Doulas, 2 Doctors: The Truth Behind the Headlines

   Part 3: Doulas Escorted Out, Birth Outcome, and the Aftermath In the final installment of the series, doulas Sheila Lawrence and Jain McKinney describe being repeatedly removed from a hospital labor room after a breech client’s care became entangled in provider resistance, bias, and shifting “chain of command.” After the client received an epidural, an older white male OB told the doulas he needed the mother alone to confirm decisions; despite this, county police and hospital security ultimately escorted the doulas out of the building, refused to let them say goodbye, retrieved their belongings, attempted to have them sign a visitor behavior policy, and restricted FaceTime. The doulas feared arrest and retaliation and remained nearby while coordinating by text; the baby was born by cesarean around 11:21 AM the next day. They discuss misinformation online, legal guidance, delays in going public until discharge, trauma and “weathering,” and the painful loss of contact with the mother amid public scrutiny. 00:00 Part Three Setup 01:34 Back In The Room 02:24 Epidural And Power Play 04:26 Waiting Outside Doors 05:47 Police Removal Order 07:52 Visitor Policy Pressure 09:20 Escorted Out In Fear 13:52 Parking Garage Debrief 15:25 Texts And Birth Outcome 17:03 Clearing The Record 20:39 Postpartum Distance 24:20 Why They Went Public 25:41 Choosing When To Speak 26:01 Life Keeps Moving 27:28 Facing The Public Fallout 28:48 Weathering And Retraumatization 31:44 Doulas As Untapped Resource 33:21 Support Systems And Doubt 36:22 Witnesses And Healing 38:07 Shera On The Disconnect 40:18 Returning To The Hospital 44:20 Faith And Vindication 46:16 How The Podcast Happened 47:36 Final Blessings And Wrap

2. 

   25 Mar 2026

   Part 2 of 3: 2 Hours, 2 Doulas & 2 Doctors: The Truth Behind the Headlines

   In Part 2 of this powerful three-part series, we continue the firsthand account from Shira Lawrence and Jet’aime McKinney as they navigate an increasingly complex and high-stakes hospital experience during a birth in Georgia. What begins as a moment of hope—with a provider finally listening—quickly shifts into a deeper examination of power, bias, and control within the hospital system. This episode captures the tension between advocacy and authority, and what it means to support a laboring mother while systems actively resist that support. What You’ll Hear in This Episode A rare moment of alignment with a provider who listens—and why it mattered The role of the anesthesiologist in shifting the trajectory of care How doulas are perceived, dismissed, and sometimes erased in clinical spaces The critical importance of advocacy when a client cannot advocate for themselves The emotional and psychological labor of doulas during prolonged, high-pressure situations Hospital policies vs. practice: how “rules” are inconsistently applied The escalation from support to surveillance—and the introduction of hospital security The moment advocacy becomes risk—and the fear that enters the room Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Advocacy vs. Authority Even when care is medically appropriate, access can be delayed or denied based on provider bias or resistance. 2. The Doula’s Role Is Not Optional—It’s Essential This episode reinforces why families choose doulas: for advocacy, clarity, and grounded support in moments where systems become overwhelming. 3. Bias in Real Time Listeners will hear how bias shows up not just in decisions—but in tone, access, communication, and escalation. 4. Emotional Labor of Birth Workers Beyond physical support, doulas are navigating systems, protecting clients, and managing their own safety simultaneously. 5. Systems Under Pressure Reveal Truth Moments of stress expose how institutions operate—and who they prioritize. Where We Leave Off This episode ends in the middle of an intense and unfolding situation: The client is in active labor without pain management Hospital dynamics have escalated Security has entered the room The doulas are being confronted and pressured to leave Part 3 will take you into the final removal, the aftermath, and the lasting psychological impact of this experience—along with what ultimately happened to mom and baby. Content Note This episode contains descriptions of medical stress, confrontation, and systemic challenges within birth settings. Listener discretion is advised. Stay Connected 🔔 Subscribe to the Doula That! Podcast 📲 Follow for more conversations on birth work, advocacy, and maternal health 🌐 www.doulathatpodcast.com, IG:@DoulaThatPodcast, YouTube: Doula That! Podcast Join the Conversation What stood out to you in this episode? Have you experienced or witnessed similar dynamics in birth spaces? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear from you.

3. 

   23 Mar 2026

   2 Hours, 2 Doulas & 2 Doctors: The Truth Behind the Headlines (pt. 1)

   Co-Hosts: Ravae Sinclair, JD, CLC, PBD(NBPP), PPD(NBPP) Dr. Denise Bolds doulathatpodcast@gmail.com Episode Summary We’re relaunching the Doula That! Podcast with a conversation that requires depth, context, and care. In this episode, we sit down with Black doulas Shira Lawrence and Jet’aime McKinney to begin unpacking the story behind a viral video showing their removal from a hospital birth. This is Part 1 of a 3-part series, where we intentionally move beyond headlines and social media assumptions to center their lived experience, professional insight, and the full context of what occurred. This episode lays the foundation—who they are, how they practice, and what led up to the hospital encounter. What You’ll Hear in This Episode The intention behind this conversation: listening over speculation Shira and Jet’aime’s backgrounds in education, birth work, and community care What it means to serve families in a maternal health desert The client’s journey navigating limited provider options in rural Georgia Why the family made the decision to travel to the Atlanta area for birth The behind-the-scenes realities of doula support (logistics, planning, advocacy) How hospital systems operate through hierarchy, policy, and liability Early signs of bias, miscommunication, and resistance in triage The critical moment when a breech diagnosis shifts the course of care The client’s clear request for pain management vs. provider insistence on cesarean Key Themes Patient Autonomy vs. Hospital Policy Bias and Communication in Birth Spaces The Role of Doulas as Advocates and Care Partners Access Gaps in Rural Maternal Healthcare What Happens When Systems Don’t Listen About Our Guests Shira Lawrence Birth & Postpartum Doula, Trainer, and Childbirth Educator. Founder of a nonprofit supporting vulnerable teenage girls. Serves families in maternal health deserts, often navigating high-risk and limited-access environments. Jet’aime McKinney Birth & Postpartum Doula, Agency Owner, and Educator based in Metro Atlanta. Former educator turned full-time birth worker after a personal birth experience transformed her path. Supports families through advocacy, education, and community-centered care. Important Context This episode is grounded in the doulas’ firsthand account. We are not providing legal advice or speaking on behalf of the hospital or medical team. Our goal is to create space for clarity, understanding, and informed dialogue. Continue the Conversation This is Part 1 of a 3-part series. 👉 Part 2 drops soon—be sure to subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss what happens next.

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Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

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